Carol Henchie School of Dancing stunned the audience through well-choreographed ballet dances which had female performers from the age of three at Harare’s Reps Theatre on Saturday.
Dubbed, Dancing the Decades, the act took the audience through the 1930s with the lively swing of Sing, Sing, Sing, then transported them into the wartime 1940s through the crisp, energetic precision of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
The 1950s arrived in a burst of rock ’n’ roll flair as dancers channelled Elvis Presley’s Blue Suede Shoes, followed by the harmonious 1960s with The Beatles’ classic I Want to Hold Your Hand.
The 1970s shimmered with ABBA’s Waterloo, leading to the iconic moves of Michael Jackson’s Black or White from the 1980s. The flowing emotion of Canon in D offered a graceful interlude, before the 1990s unfolded through the stirring soundtrack of The Prince of Egypt. Katy Perry’s electrifying Hot and Cold then ushered audiences into the 2000s with youthful exuberance.
Laughter and cheers became common as dancers popped on stage, adorned in best-fitting costumes. The most striking feature of the two-fold Dancing the Decades act was the colour contrasts from the lights and the sync and connectivity among the dancers.
The production opened with the youngest dancers, some only three years old stepping confidently into the spotlight, their tiny pointed toes and earnest concentration earning affectionate applause.
From there, the stage became a living jukebox as performers, ranging from childhood to late youth, brought decades of music to life with polished poise and spirited energy.
Throughout the show, laughter, cheers and gasps of admiration rippled through the theatre.
Dancers glided, leapt and spun across the stage, adorned in brilliantly coordinated costumes whose colours bloomed under perfectly timed lighting. The most striking hallmark of Dancing the Decades was its artistic cohesion and a seamless synchronicity among dancers whose movements stitched each musical era into a unified, glowing narrative.
Carol Henchie, founder and artistic director, shared her vision with NewsDay Life & Style, emphasising that each carefully selected piece was meant to illustrate more than historical soundtracks.
“Our dances aren’t just steps set to music. They are living memories and a reminder that movement connects us to who we were, who we are and who we can become.”
She added that ballet remained a joyful path to physical wellness, discipline and creative expression.
Henchieo highlighted ballet’s transformative role in the lives of girls and women, a message that resonated deeply through the afternoon’s performances.
She further explained that ballet teaches strength wrapped in grace and is a quality vital to young women navigating today’s shifting world.
“Ballet permits girls to take up space with confidence and beauty. It teaches them resilience, focus, and the courage to express themselves fully. Those lessons last far beyond the stage,” Henchie said.
